On View: Yoskay Yamamoto’s “submerged” in Hong Kong’s Time Square

For his first large-scale public art installation, Yoskay Yamamoto demonstrated his wide range as an artist. The optimistic “submerged,” organized by LeBasse Projects in Hong Kong Times Square and its interior atrium, contains wood sculptures that range from 30-feet-tall interactive works to three-inch, hand-carved sculptures. Outside, in Times Square, Yamamoto built a collection of autumn-hued heads that look as if they popped out of the ground like mushroom caps. Viewers can enter the large structures to find a wishing tree within — an homage to the shrines and temples of Yamamoto’s Japanese heritage — and write down their prayers and wishes on the paper “leaves.”

Small-scale sculptures and paintings inside the atrium gallery complement the interactive works, repeating the motif of the partially-submerged figure through various iterations. The figures in this body of work are not drowning; they appear to float, at peace in the cool waters and lush flora of Yamamoto’s delicately carved and painted vision. “submerged” will be on view through October 31 in Hong Kong Times Square. Take a look at some photos of the installation and exhibition below.